Jul 25

Jul 25 The Reading List: July 25, 2020

#SFOL Recommends, Fun Stuff, The Reading List

Shannon

I’ve never been a huge Andy Samberg fan, although I did enjoy some of his SNL digital shorts. But, I watched “Palm Springs” last night and found it a thoughtful, somewhat modern (it’s still very white) take on a rom com, and this GQ profile is also worth a read.

Annie Leibovitz fucked up the photoshoot of Simone Biles (and her family) by not lighting them properly (and come on, couldn’t Vogue have employed a Black photographer) but the profile (also not written by a Black person) is great.

If you’ve ever wanted to order a “Business Woman’s Special” (ironically or unironically), enjoy.

Can we please get some more journalists of color in travel writing?

What we lose when retail stores disappear. I found this super thoughtful and nostalgic.

How the pandemic is changing work friendships. I’m lucky enough to have an amazing work family and our group text has been popping during the past 4 months. But wow do I miss happy hours with them (even though our last one involved an ambulance being called to the bar…)

Lastly, here’s your reminder that modern feminism has always excluded women of color. Feminism can be nothing without intersectionality, so can we please start elevating Black women to positions of power.

Elizabeth

I have never been able to quiet my mind enough to meditate, but I am all for another way to calm down during 2020 - is knot tying the thing for me?

“Twister” is one of those movies that I watch whenever I see it pop up on TNT or TBS, and I agree that it may be the perfect ‘90s disaster flick. I had no idea that it was such a dangerous set or that Helen Hunt didn’t think she was right for the role. Love a good deep dive — especially when it involves flying cows.

Essence rounded up the 50 Most Impactful Black Books of the last 50 years, and I just added this one, this one, and this one to my Bookshop cart.

Speaking of books I’ve just purchased, my long-time minister George just published his third book, and I was lucky enough to be one of the pre-readers. In a year where it’s hard to come to terms with a lot, his words helped me, and I thought some of you might also be in need. I know faith and religion are incredibly personal, but if you are a believer, incredibly important right now.

Any series that frames itself as “Ask A Sane Person” is an immediate read for me, and I loved hearing from SFOL fave Jia Tolentino.

I have been to the Unclaimed Baggage store before — it’s right outside of Huntsville, AL — and it is…bizarre. If you’ve never heard of this place, read this article about how they’ve come to monopolize the lost airline baggage market.

I’m just as guilty about complaining about how I want life to get back to normal (lol sob), but this article about the real cost of reopening a restaurant in the midst of a pandemic was…sobering.

.There is no wellness without anti-racism. Preach.

And to end on a fun note: When Ernest Hemingway takes on Kristy Thomas.